The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was denied, but his claim for unspecified depressive disorder with opioid use disorder in remission was granted and effective from January 5, 2011. The decision is mixed as it includes both a grant of service connection and denial of another issue.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's new and material evidence reopened the previously denied claim for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, but his depressive disorder with opioid use disorder in remission was granted effective from January 5, 2011 due to an earlier right ankle surgery that can be construed as a formal or informal increased rating claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, unspecified depressive disorder with opioid use disorder in remission
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19158281
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19158281.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU is granted, but his special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is denied due to the presence of additional service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for various conditions was dismissed as there was no decision in the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system to appeal at the time of the request.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted SMC based on aid and attendance, but denied SMC based on housebound status. The Veteran's specially adapted housing claim was also granted, while his claims for a special home adaptation grant and an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance were denied.
- Partly granted
The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed.
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